Propaganda Model of AIB

To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticise. Voltaire could very well have said that for All India Bakchod (popularly known as AIB) channel. Aamir Khan found that out last year when he politely — I repeat, politely — criticised AIB Roast. The “intolerance gate” surrounding him is a mere repercussion of his comments on AIB. It all began from there. Nasseeruddin Shah has talked about “hate mongering” but he has never faced any wrath, because he has never crossed paths with AIB. Justice Markandey Katju has called Narendra Modi a “fraud” but his patriotism is never questioned by BJP’s supporters. Unlike Aamir Khan, Katju is a political person; hence, his political opinions should be taken more seriously but they are ignored. Why? Because AIB doesn’t hate him. Vishal Dadlani is a huge critic of the Right-wing. He barely draws any ire. It’s no coincidence that he is AIB’s sycophant.

AIB is a group of pseudo-intellectual Fascists in the guise of comedians. They are ruthless, powerful and evil. They are backed by top corporations like Amul, powerful filmmakers to spread propaganda, film studios like UTV, top politicians, Godmen and influential writers like Shobha De. I won’t be surprised if they have the support of mafia as well. They follow a devious propaganda model. They can say anything in the name of humour, but if anyone objects or even mildly criticises them, it is portrayed as an assault on art and freedom. It’s ironic that they don’t value the freedom of speech of their critics, yet it is a very cunning tactic. Thereafter, their enemy is subject to serious character assassination and much more, just like Aamir Khan. He has lost his advertisement contracts with major corporations. (Is it a coincidence that a criticism of AIB Roast has cost him all the endorsements contracts.) Moreover, he is no longer an ambassador of Incredible India (a campaign to promote tourism in India). He has become an object of wrath and ridicule on social media because of AIB and Shobha De’s treachery.

Their propaganda strategy for AIB Roast was exemplary. It was sensationalist propaganda to promote their channel and Anurag Kashyap’s then-forthcoming film. At first, media and Right-wing politicians severely rebuked it. Some political activists (like Ashok Pandit) filed lawsuits against AIB and Anurag Kashyap. Curiously, the hysteria died down as soon as the Roast gained publicity. The people who were on a rabid rage against the AIB Roast, took a sudden U-turn: they started slandering those who didn’t like the Roast. The only explanation is that they were always on AIB’s side. Now Ashok Pandit is their biggest sycophant. It was a cunning marketing gimmick.

Another propaganda tactic they use is by spreading rumours or “trending tweets” of how some people want them banned. But in reality, hardly anyone is interested in banning AIB, except for a handful of idiots. But this propaganda gives them moral wattage and sympathy votes. How can the Right-wing call for their ban, when a hard-core Rightist like Shobha De fanatically defends AIB? How can the authority want them banned when they are a part of the authority?

Shobha De’s inflammatory comments have worked wonders for them. She has gone on a rabid rage, degrading those who didn’t like AIB Roast. The ageist gorgon made fun of Aamir Khan’s age and proclaimed that most of India’s youngsters wouldn’t relate to his views. So, would they relate to Anurag Kashyap’s thinking, for he was an endorser of AIB? That deranged druggie queen sits on her rocking chair and fabricates her deep fetishes. Ninety-ninety percent of India’s youth would not have even heard of Anurag Kashyap or AIB. Whereas, many of many of Aamir Khan’s fans are in their teens or twenties. In particular, his movies like Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par and 3 Idiots are very popular amongst the youth of India. Hardly any teenager cares about Gangs of Wasseypur or AIB’s propaganda videos. Even if a few did, it would be out of fear rather than admiration. If people over a certain age shouldn’t express themselves in public then maybe Shobha De should jump off a hill because she is a few decades older than Aamir Khan. Or is it just that the imperialistic harpy is only interested in carrying out character assassination of actors with a certain last name? If she is so worried about AIB, then why didn’t she speak against people who filed lawsuits against AIB?

AIB also typifies the disturbing class hierarchy of India. The comedian Kiku Sharda was arrested for impersonating Godman Gurmeet Ram Raheem Insan. Would AIB have been arrested had they put up a similar act? (It’s another thing that the Godman is likely to be their cohort.) But even if they aren’t his bhakts (disciples), nobody would have dared to arrest them. The reason is simple: Kiku Sharda is a lowbrow comedian who entertains common people; whereas, AIB constitutes of the so-called elite of India, the English-speaking, American TV and Hollywood-fanatic brigade of peanut-brained yuppies. There were voices of dissent for their mockery of Salman Khan’s sister, but the voices were silenced. But AIB are a bunch of bullies who only pick on non-violent targets, who prefer to critique with reason. If those rabid bastards ever insulted someone’s sister in rural India or the drug-free zones of Punjab, no one would reason with them; instead, they would be neutered and battered vigilante style and their stupid testicles would be fed to cats.

Their foreign ally, Russell Peters, scowled like a mad dog when some people didn’t like AIB Roast. But the racist coward didn’t say a word about Kiku Sharda’s arrest. It is because of the same class hierarchy. Kiku represents the same average Indian that he racially degrades in his so-called comedy. On the other hand, AIB represent the powerful, pseudo-intellectual yuppies who get their buttocks licked by the likes of Russell Peters.

AIB is just one example. They have crony Youtube channels (like VFV) who do the same kind of work. They consider themselves thekedar (custodians) of Indian cinema and society. They have turned cinema into a private club. They decide who is eligible to watch Satyajit Ray’s movies or not. They police people’s taste in movies. They intimidate those who don’t like Anurag Kashyap’s movies. Ship of Thesus is called “Ship of Pretentious” because it’s produced by Aamir Khan’s wife Kiran Rao. However, their choice of reviews is highly selective. They have never reviewed the Godman’s movie. It’s either because they were afraid to ridicule that movie or they were afraid to admit that they liked it. Remember, AIB acknowledged Kamaal R. Khan amongst the top film critics of India. How can such brainless bastards be taken seriously? A few months later Kamaal R. Khan ridiculed Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet and even issued a stupid challenge where he would chop his genital if the movie made one billion, to which Anurag Kashyap replied earnestly. It was just a subterfuge to create sympathy for the film. Because even though the movie was a disaster, hardly anyone criticised it. But his phoney criticism allowed them to cry that “look everyone is trying to sabotage our film”, “Anurag Kashyap is too good for Indian public”, “death to those who watch cinema for entertainment” etc.

If you think that AIB is not powerful, then try to criticise them or search for their critics. You will find nothing. And it’s not because everyone loves them.